Trade shows news

SAFTAD shows fishing trade booming

August 2008

This year, more retail companies from the rest of Africa (11), North West (25), Free State (15) and the Northern Cape (4) sent their buyers to the show than last year — but the number of Gauteng (65) and KwaZulu Natal (18) retailers represented at the show were considerably down from last year. The fact that the show coincided with the Lailat al Bara’ah Islamic and Rakhi Hindu festivals could have contributed to this decline.

While the number of exhibitors were the same as last year (53) the lower visitor numbers (210 companies compared to 249 last year) could also be attributed to the pertol price increases and credit squeeze, because nearly a quarter of the pre-registered visitors did not attend. The 32 companies who obviously thought it worthwhile enough to pre-register, but then stayed at home, were mainly from other provinces like the Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and also Botswana.

This year, 189 retail companies, 10 suppliers (distributors, manufacturers and agents), 5 media companies and 6 others (lodges, etc.) sent 451 representatives to visit the show. Last year 225 retail companies were represented and a total of 525 people visited.

But, the overall mood was cautiously upbeat about current trading conditions… while acknowledging that the market is not as buoyant as in the past, especially with petrol price increases that could impact on anglers travelling to fishing spots, exhibitors and retailers agreed that people still fish and therefore need product. What’s more, there is an obvious anticipation of huge growth in the more upmarket bass fishing facet, since just about every second exhibitor is introducing some product aimed at bass anglers.

“There has been no inflation in fishing over the last three years,” says Howard Joscelyne of JW Apex. He also believes that the current infrastructure spend in SA leading up to 2010 bodes well for fishing “because the construction workers are doing well, and they are our market, they enjoy fishing.”

Others believe that retailers felt the pinch of the chilly winter.

“Shops that stayed in touch with new developments are doing well,” says Ridwaan Dockrat of Sensational Angling. “Customers are becoming more sophisticated and are asking for more specific products, for example, rods for fishing crankbaits rather than just a bass rod. Shops have to work smarter to achieve the same sales.”

Through exposure to the internet and fishing shows on TV, consumers are becoming much more informed and discerning. It is therefore important for distributors to keep abreast of the latest international developments by visiting overseas trade shows, says Abdullah Mia of Mias Wholesale.

While there might have been fewer visitors, the overall impression was that more new and different products were shown than before. For example:

Akals/ Midas Group joined the SAFTAD show with their fishing range for the first time this year — previous years they held their own shows on the same weekend but at a different venue — and were very pleased with the new potential customers they were able to meet.

At this show (and their other regional shows) they introduced the new Okuma bait feeder Powerliner big pit reel for the growing carp market that is lighter than the usual bait feeder but takes more line. The Salina reels for jigging were also popular.

Other popular items include the latest range of Pakula trolling lures from Australia, that also include new range of Catchit frog for bass.

Products that were especially well received are a newly designed range of Loomis and Franklin HMG (high-modulus graphite) surf rods at “a very good price,” says Praveen Soogreem, as well as Okumo jigging rods in three different weights, especially popular when sold as a combo with Salina reels. On the boat rods, they have introduced a new range of Elbe Clear Solid Blank“ rods.

Specimen carp angler Gilbert Foxcroft has added a new wireless alarm that can be set at a frequency not to interfere with others close by and has a durable carbon finish to his GilFox range. Another new introduction is the 4-rod tripod carp pod.

Angling Africa has now also made the world renowned Columbia outdoor clothing available to the general SA retail trade — albeit only their PFG (Performance Fishing Gear) range. “There is about 50% brand recognition among SA retailers,” says Pieter Strobos — but those that know the popular US brand know that they simply MUST have it in their stores as it is one of the most recognised brand names internationally.

The range of quick-dry technical shirts have been especially well received, while the breathable yet waterproof lightweight jackets are expected to be popular with anglers exposed to boat or surf spray. The Omnitek membrane (Columbia’s answer to Goretex) ensures that the wearer does not get wet, but remains comfortable because the garment is breathable.

The blood ‘n guts shirt has been made for anglers and hunters: impregnated with a wicking agent, it will repel drops of blood, and should it become impregnated, the shirt is guaranteed not to stain.

They also introduced the Climax specimen carp braid and monofilament from German manufacturers, Ockert, this year. The specialist carp range offers high abrasion monofilament, dyneema tippet materials for carp rigs, tight lead-core braid in camo colours, tapered monofilaments, lead core leaders, bait floss for fixing up boilies, unleaded braids and much more.

G-HLX (graphite helix) technology in the Composite Development rods ensures that each fibre within the blank has a specific purpose — consequently deflection curves can be controlled down to the millimeter to create perfect actions and exceptional strength-to-weight ratios. They also offer a new traveler series of Wright and McGill rods packed in beautiful, leather-trimmed cases. Both spinning and casting models are available and include exclusive features like kevlar-reinforced butt-sections, comfortable palm swell handles, triangle fore grips and huge fighting butts.

The DVD’s showing how fish react to bait underwater at the front of the Basil Manning store stopped quite a few visitors in their tracks and attracted them onto the stall to see the new surf series introduced to Barry Wareham’s Assassin range to complement the BeachMaster range, but at the higher end, in high-modulus graphite (HMG). A low reel mount for coffee grinders and bionic finger ensures a smoother cast when spinning for big fish.

The significantly lower cost of manufacturing the series in the East has meant that these rods come into the market considerably lower priced than the locally manufactured Assassin Classic Series — but their performance can be compared.

Wareham has also introduced a new line range from Japan, Hiro, of which the Surfshock leader for surf and drop shot fishing proved to be popular.

They now distribute the US soft bait brands Riptide and Culprit, manufactured under license in SA and have developed some new colours and shapes specifically for SA waters. Flavours and smells from a bottle can be applied to the bait packets or to conventional baits, giving them a potent smell as well as making the bait more pliable.

His Snapper spoons with wire eyes for easy rigging in seven colours, five shapes and four sizes have proved to be very popular.

A new product that should have special appeal for the organised angler is a tackle box that doubles as a seat, while a tray can be attached to the side of the seat so that it is no longer necessary to kneel down in the sand when baiting.

The scarcity of wine bottle corks has prompted Wareham to develop high density foam corks for shad traces — the fact that a hole can now be made exactly in the middle, improves the performance of the bait enormously. “We have an in-store trace maker who can make up ready-tied traces for retailers on request and package them in packets with the retailer’s name or logo,” he says.

Other interesting new products are a pink fishing bucket for ladies and a collapsible water bucket with a hard bottom that will not puncture.

Brentoni Distributors have expanded their D.O.W. range of fishing and diving knives considerably — and now offer a full spectrum of bait knives ranging from R5.50 (wholesale) to R350 (wholesale) “and everything in between,” says Rob Beamish. These include difficult to lose bait knives with brightly coloured handles, as well as everything from little folding knives to huge hunting knives in the new trend in camo colours. The camo trend is continued in Brentoni sunglasses with polycarbonate lenses that cannot break, which are especially popular with bow hunters, says Beamish.

They also introduced an aluminium studded 12 LED torch with rubber grip that is small enough to fit in the palm of a hand encased in a closed shell packet to prevent theft, two headlamps and a small lantern.

Cutlery sets, consisting of a knife, fork, spoon and cork screw clamped together, are further additions to the D.O.W. range.

A flintstone firemaker (R10 wholesale) not only caused plenty of merriment on the stand, but could also be an innovative icebreaker and add-on sale for retail customers, suggests Beamish.

C1-D2 Tackle Traders and Cats Agencies, who always share a stand at the show, have combined forces and acquired the rights to distribute the US based Yakima Bait Company’s three brands in SA — Hildebrandt spinner baits, Worden’s rooster tails and super rooster tails, and Lee Sisson balsa wood weedless crank baits. “The range has been in the country before, but what we are introducing is a new and upgraded product that will be advertised and serviced well. It is a top quality product that has been manufactured in the US since 1899,” says C1-D2’s Cobus van Biljon. He will be responsible for Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Namibia and Mozambique, while Catscarlis will be responsible for KwaZulu Natal, Free State and the Cape areas.

Cats Agencies also showed a new range of drop shot plastics — grubs, shad and paddle tail shad — and four new colours for floating toads.

C1-D2 also showed a new range from the Australian company Mad Keen Co, which includes angling-related T-shirts for men, women, kids and toddlers with amusing slogans like “I catch more fish than my dad”, coolers, headwear and spare wheel covers. The first shipment is due in November.

They were joined on their stand by Charles Stewart Fishing, who showed his Guideline range of bifocal and photochromatic polarized eyewear, as well as Fisherman Eyewear that include a polarsensor option that goes darker or lighter according to light conditions.

Their second year at the show proved that the lessons learnt from their first time exhibit last year was a good learning curve, says CDS Angling’s Craig Neil. Instead of providing information overload, they condensed the vast international catalogues and concentrated on a few new interesting items that created a lot of interest and were very happy with the result. For example, the new parallel spooled Awa-Shima Ion Power line that has no retaining memory and therefore untangles completely smooth even after it was scrunched up, twisted and stepped on, generating plenty of interest. It is also 20-22% stronger than other line of the same diameter, says Neil, who demonstrated how difficult it is to break a 0.25 diameter line. In addition, the line changes colour at intervals, thus reducing visibility under water.

Another item that was especially popular with retailers from KwaZulu Natal is the travel spin rods that their customers use on boats for jigging and spin for snoek or dropshot fishing.

As in the past, companies with fishing-related products were also exhibiting. Eiger Equipment, for example, wanted to introduce fishing stores to their extensive range (more than 300) of Coghlan’s camping accessories that will make any angler’s life just that more comfortable. They are also the sole distributors of the prize-winning Petzl headlamps in SA. By the first morning, John Fontyn was already very happy with the new customers he had seen from far-flung areas (including cross-boarder) that he would not have otherwise been able to reach.

Preston Dale has been expanding his Goya Trading distributorship over the past three years and has introduced new ranges like Tru-Tungsten weights that are half the size of lead at the same weight and offers a much more sensitive feel, making them popular with the top-end bass anglers.

Another new range, Picasso Lures, with spinnerbaits, football jigs (a new technique that allows the jig to crawl over rocks with greater ease); more affordable weights than what have been available locally at this quality, as well as a tournament and flip side series of spinnerbaits.

In the Spro range new saltwater bucktail and swimming jigs, a new bronze eyefrog for bass, Aruku shad and salt dog baits, did well.

Dale now also supplies a range of sportfishing clothing, including embroidered fishing shirts with breathing slits in the sides at “not a bad price”.

The new kits available in the Solarbat eyewear range, worn by the SA bass team, have been very popular: the pouches contain three sets of polarized lenses that can be slipped on and off according to light changes. Solarbat also has an eyecatching high speed goggle, ideal for use on high speed boats.

He was also very happy that they have just been awarded the full SA distribution rights for the Youvella USA hook range. They will have their first samples in November.

Despite difficult trading conditions due to illegal imports from Kenya that played havoc with retail prices of flies, Michael Peterson of Hairy Fairy Flies keeps on introducing interesting innovations that enable him to keep the workers at his fly-tying factory in the economically depressed Eastern Cape area employed.

He has, for example made-up destination bulk fly kits that will enable any member of staff to sell flies to clients visiting any other area for fly fishing — without having to have the expert knowledge required to advise on what would be needed there. Retailers will also be able to earn a good margin on his fly tying kits containing three flies and enough product to tie ten flies — an ideal gift pack for the holiday season.

John Geils of Jandi Trading has expanded his Xplorer fly range with upgrades to two reels — the Guide II and XPLA II — that are well-priced, good quality sealed drag reels offering good value for money, he says. The die cast STX, featuring a 1-way bearing drag system now replaces the Classic DC Fly reel.

He now also caters for the youngest generation of fly fishers — as young as 7-9, or slightly older up to 12 years — with the good quality Small Fry range… a downsize of adult waders, fly vests and a smaller version of the Classic rod, ideal for the youngster learning to cast.

He has also added an optional extra for the original V-boat, an inflatable seat, that makes it more compact to store away.

Geils has also invested heavily in upgrading the Xplorer T50 rods in high end 50+ modulus graphite. “It is very difficult to get it right when using this high modulus graphite as the rod can become very brittle. Our factory got it right,” he says. They are fitted with patented REC Recoil -titanium guides and strippers that will recoil back in shape when bent against an obstruction, triangular Alps reel seats and a lock system. “A lot of technology for very good value,” he adds.

They now also offer two improved weighing nets — one with an improved locking system that does not pull out when dragged and a telescopic net with scales.

He introduced a range of waterproof bags with hydration pockets on the outside. The waterproof pack has a loops system for carrying a second rod on the back of the pack that is angled in such a way that it is out of the way when casting.

JW Apex generated interest with their newly-launched Watersnake rubber ducks that can also be sold as a combo with their trolling motors — the top-end 54hp boat, made of quality nylon that carries a 5-year warranty, has an aluminium floor for stablisation. The fused seams carry a 3-year warranty. The 34hp model, also on show, is made from the same quality nylon, but does not have the aluminium floor.

They have acquired a new Australian reel brand, Rovex, which offers the latest technology at a reasonable price, explains Howard Joscelyne. The Rovex Rear Drag baitrunner was especially well received.

Penn has launched the new Penn Sargus spinning and baitcasting reels, as well as the Penn Affinity spinning reels for the bass fisherman. An extension to Penn’s prize winning torque reel that won the “Best Saltwater Reel” category at ICAST in 2006, now comes in lever drag.

A constant humm sounded from Kingfisher’s huge stand, where they had several new products to show, like the quality Safari Chiller boxes that are now available again in a wide range of sizes. Sizes up to 20L will be offered with two lid options — a Fisherman with nylon lid for cutting bait or hammering chokka and a standard fibreglass lid.

Locally manufactured and well-priced McCarthy Drop shot baits created huge interest in their variety of colours and sizes.

The new Saltiga jigging reel sizes introduced in the Daiwa range were well received, as well as the Saltiga specialist surf casting spinning reels, Saltiga colour coded jigging braids, and Saltiga, Monster Mesh and Grandwave jigging rods.

Other new items like the Steez, Zillion and Exceler baitcast reels, Sealine Bull salt water spinning reels and Exceler 8 ½’ and 9’ heavier action drop shot rods, as well as Poseidon HMG (high-modulus graphite) surf casting rods up to 10oz cast weight generated interest.

Poseidon jigging rods, Strike Pro lure additions, Mustad jighead and Assist hooks, Kingfisher tackle bags and Kingfisher Pro Casting braid in two colours… to name but a few, were among the other new items that were popular with customers.

Darts and angling do go together like Klippies and Coke, LGB Ditributors showed over the past three years during which their Harrows darts range had proved a popular add-on for tackle traders and their new darts and accessories like neon flights and stems are eagerly awaited.

Made to order water repellent, lightweight jackets with ventilator vents and quick-dry shirts that can be embroidered with club or corporate colours gives the retailer the opportubnity to offer customers added personalised value.

They also had some show specials of Cloggens moulded shoes in a fair number of sizes and styles.

The Australian range of Zoggs goggles and silicone caps proved to be popular with retailers that stock other watersport equipment. Especially the gift pouches of silicone character caps (shark or seal graphics) and swim goggles were considered good buys for the holidays.

Busy as always, Mias Wholesale had plenty to show customers — for example, a new Snowbee V-boat with side pouches for fly fishermen to complement their U-boat.

Their own Pioneer range has grown considerably to include everything from rods to reels, rod and reel combo’s (that has already elicited repeat orders from a discerning customer), swivels, hooks for all kinds of fishing in a full range of packaging from pre-packs to boxes, tools, fly boxes, tackle boxes, terminal tackle, etc. The rod range now covers the full spectrum — carp and fly rods, new shad rods with interesting holographic cosmetics, new multi-piece surf rods, tiger rods to jigging rods. “The range is positioned lower than our top-end Predator range and is aimed at the mid-level customer, allowing us to cover the full spectrum,” says Abdullah Mia. In their upper priced Predator range they introduced new high quality bass and drop shot rods.

They have also introduced a new carp brand, Carp Cruncher, with graphite rods and reels to go with them.

Mia believes that they are in the fortunate position to get feedback from their retail stores on changing customer needs and demands and that they can therefore adapt their ranges accordingly. “Trends change very fast,” he says. He also keeps abreast of international developments by attending as many international trade shows as possible.

The colourful and jolly Pro Angling stand attracted visitor attention with a tank attracting action with their new Zoom shakey head worm on a stand up tail up jig head (representing the new shakey head craze in the US, says Richard Whitham) and the lifelike standing up defensive bobbing action of the Yum Money Craw swim bait.

Swimbaits have now hit the SA market with the launch of the Yum Money Minnow (3-5” to 6-5”) and the Zoom 7” Superfluke in freshwater and saltwater colours.

Unfortunately, the exciting new range of Quantum rods and reels launched at ICAST in July could not be shown as they would only be available to the SA market in November.

The Van Staal range of rods and reels have been completely revamped and now also feature a superlight reel, as well as popping and jigging rods. “All exceptionally well priced,” says Whitham.

Rapala VMC keeps on growing and acquiring new brands that now cover just about all facets of fishing — the latest, Sufix line was recently acquired by Rapala VMC Corporation but the SA distribution rights currently remain with JW Apex.

Rapala VMC SA also became the official SA distributor for the Johnson Outdoors Group and their ranges of Humminbird electronics, Minn Kota trolling motors known for their reliability, the Cannon Downriggers now have intelligent technology, which will allow the angler to couple their downriggers to their Humminbird fishfinder so that they can dictate the depth of their baits or lures from the fishfinder console.

The upgraded range of Humminbird fishfinders lends a whole new dimension to the phrase no place to hide. “At every level and price point this range offers features that are more and different to what you would expect to find at this price point — whether better quality picture resolution or features and so forth — therefore offering the consumers better value for money,” says Mark Pledger. The range is extensive, covering the full spectrum from entry level, dual beam systems to top end Side Imaging models.

The models that are really remarkable to watch is the 1197 series with HD (Hi Definition) display, 65 000 colours, 1 000 watt power output. The unit has the standard dual beam system as well as the revolutionary side imaging function that covers 180° and 240’ on either side of the boat. The result is a full HD picture of what is under and around the boat, allowing you to indentify sunken trees, or spot any other interesting object at a distance.

Should you require closer inspection, you can zoom in on a spot. If you like what you see, you can happily mark that spot, even though it may be some 30m away from your boat. You will then be able to track that mark via your standard GPS built into the unit.

Apart from a coastal map that covers the whole of the African coast and neighbouring islands — “we are working on developing an inland map,” says Mark Pledger — the 900 and 1100 side imaging units have the ability to record your route or outing, which can then be downloaded onto a computer.

Among the many features is the option to personalise and pre-program features to meet the needs of different anglers — it even combines metric and imperial measurements, depending on the angler’s preferred units. These can easily be programmed into any of the Humminbird units. For the side imaging to be effective, one would have to mount the transducer externally and the boat would have to be moving a minimum of 1 knot (1.8 km/h).

Several Cannon downriggers coupled to a Humminbird fishfinder will allow the angler to run baits at their preferred depths or for specific time periods.

They also acquired the services of a local electronic expert to service and repair the units. “We are aware that there were some issues regarding returns and repairs with the previous distributorship, and will handle all repairs locally,” says Pledger.

PowerPro Braid manufactures a very round, smooth and sensitive super line with Electronic Body Technology (EBT) that, acccording to Paul Borcherds, “outperforms monofilament lines in any situation and leaves other superlines in the dust”.

As can be expected, they showed a vast number of new and upgraded product on the large stand —Williamson has introduced new poppers and jigs in various colours, including a ballyhoo with soft bird combo and live swimming ballyhoo, a new rotating flutterjig and gyro jigs, as well as the Scotty Orca downrigger that allows you to remove a rod in one movement.

Shimano has introduced several new reels. In the quality saltwater range — from the Sustain, Ultegra, Saragossa through to the Stella — the lower level reels are upgraded to incorporate the features of the previous model of the range above. They have also introduced a new digital cast control multiplier, the Trinidad DC, which allows the angler to change speed and hence control as required, without overwinding.

Shimano will also be releasing new rods for the avid dropshot and jigging angler and has introduced new rod sleeves with fleece-lined inners and heavy-padded Cordura outer covers, as well as new neoprene reel covers.

Rapala has introduced a new X-Rap jointed shad, X-treme dive bait that dives 18 cm deeper than any other and the X-Rap Extreme that dives 30’ to their range.

The company will also be distributing the DVD’s made by Blackfin Angling — one series shows new fishing tips or different techniques that will improve the anglers capabilities and catch rates, another feature popular fishing spots, advising on bait and tackle selection that will be suitable for the area, featuring some lodges and also the legalities encounterd in the area.

Arno Laubscher of Scientific Fly will in future concentrate on manufacturing and developing new hooks and flies to expand his range, and has therefore entered into an agreement with angler Schalk van Breda of Supercast fame to distribute his carp and bass Grip Hooks and SciFlies to retailers in rural areas, as well as John Dearden of BFA, who will assist with the marketing, endorsement and development of the products. “Our product lines do not conflict and this distribution network will not only save the retailer postage costs, but also enable us to distribute the products to them faster and more regularly as Schalk calls on them with his own bait products,” says Laubscher.

As usual, the Sensational Angling stand was a hub of activity — although the holiday on Saturday reduced visitor numbers on that day. Their newly-introduced display and labelling system, however, made it easy for visitors to browse until attended to. Instead of combining a product category, like rods, on a stand, they displayed all products for a specific facet of fishing in one, well-marked area. What’s more, their products are clearly marked for which type of fishing they are suitable for — whether for carp, bass, fly, tigerfish, saltwater. “This is much more user-friendly and logical,” explains Ridwaan Dockrat, who also hopes that retailers will start adopting this display method in their stores, as it will enable even a less informed salesperson to sell with more confidence.

To accommodate the fast growing specimen carp market, they employed the services of renowned angler Godfrey Francis to develop a complete carp range for them — from entry level to the very top-end products from Fox. Francis also visits retailers where he conducts seminars to explain the main selling features of the products for bank and specimen carp anglers.

Among these are their own new Docks range of specimen carp products developed specifically for SA market conditions “which are very different to the European conditions for which the imported products are developed,” says Francis. The comprehensive range, developed after extensive market research into the needs of carp anglers and input from dealers, include everything from rods, reels to tools and sleeping bags.

Demonstrations of the PVA groundbait kit for specimen carp elicited a lot of interest: the groundbait is forced through a tube into a PVA pouch (like making boerewors) that will dissolve within about 30 seconds after water contact — therefore allowing a perfect bait presentation.

Another new Sensational product that generated interest was a parallel spooled line with reduced memory (it does not kink or tangle) that remains perfectly round, without flattening. All new lines are now further marked for a specific type fishing with the specific properties required, e.g. Bass Worming line. Gamma was a huge success story in the top quality bass lines.

In the Damiki range they introduced the new Armor shad, which is super salted fish pattern with shrimp scent. This bait has been very productive for bass and drop shot angling.

Tackle boxes have gone fashionable, but remain functional with trays purpose-designed to hold specific baits and lures.

The new Pro Shad generated a lot of attention for drop shot fishing, boasting a new 3D Red Eye version. The new Strike Wire braid with a very thin diameter and round profile was a also popular.

Their saltwater range has been extended and now also include Shad Pro spinning rods.

Dockrat is also very happy with the reception of their new high carbon range of Linx hooks with various cutting points.

Their camping range include lightweight aluminium tables as well as various chairs available in more than 9 different models.

Stealth Fly Rod & Reels has introduced one of the most Accurate (also its name) reel ranges in the country, says Dave Levene. “The secret of the range’s accuracy is that it brakes on both sides and therefore runs smoothly all the time.”

This feature has been introduced throughout the range, in dual and single speed, small and large.

The machined aluminium reels, with 100% stainless steel internal parts — no plastic or brass has been used — are very robust, he says.

Levene has the photographic evidence to show that a 330lb halibut and 230lb yellow fin had been caught with some of the smallest models in the range. “It has been extremely well received in the market and the first shipment has already been sold… it offers the market features that have never been seen at this price,” he says.

The Stealth Acucast series is so named because it will help even an inexperienced angler to make a long cast into surf without overwinding, yet it is a far stronger reel than the coffee grinder, which would otherwise have been used to cast long distance — all these features, including drag settings, at a very good price, adds Gary Preston.

Demonstrations of their new Arc dehooker also drew visitors to the Stealth stand: the world patented rod system allows you to lift the hook from a shark’s mouth with ease, yet keep a safe distance.

They have expanded the Gammagatsu hook range — and now also include carp — and have launched tapered leaders and an affordable tippet in their own Stealth range. In Airflo there is a new nymph taper that will throw heavy nymphs, that will be suitable for use in Cape rivers and in the Vaal.

They also have a new stainless steel machined priest.

Another new exhibitor, Tecni-sport, was very happy with the reception of their new Perlon powerline, which is, as its name indicates, very strong for its diameter, for example the 0.3-line popular for tiger fishing and catching big barbers, with a breaking strength of 8.3kg. They will also be introducing a new Perlon fluorocarbon towards the end of the year and a new 100% dyneema braid — the fibre used for making bulletproof vests. Their new website, www.tecnisport.co.za, will provide more information.

Local company T-line Pro has acquired a solid name for manufacturing monofilament lines for recreational as well as competitive fishing — including pre-tested and approved I.G.F.A. lines. A new introduction to their range is a 9m long stepped tapered leader in 5 sizes that is ideal for shark and other rock and surf fishing because it will not be easily cut off on rocks.

Fresh from exhibiting at the first Tackle Trade World show in Amsterdam, Viv Foster was on the Vivtek stand in person to introduce new products to the local market. These include a brand new concept, called the Tailer — a fast-release lasso that will snag a shark’s tail in a hoodwink to enable you to hang it and remove the hook… not bad for catching the arms of human sharks either!

He has also introduced a new series of eyewear, Quattro, that are so flexible that you can bend the frames in all directions, without breaking them.

Another new product that created interest is a camera that can be lowered into the water that will photograph (and reveal the positions of) fish, while operated from a distance.

W.E.T. Sport Importers introduced two new pliers to their Pro Hunter range: the 6” split-ring plier that opens split rings, crimps sleeves and acts as a cutter, as well as the multi-function plier that comes with a pouch and can be used to open split rings, tie hooks, cut braid and nylon, release line and cut wire.

They also have a new metal spinner, the Shinner varying from 30- 90gm. The popular 12 and 5 LED headlamps with four and six functions are now also in stock again.

The booties from Saekodive in their underwater range proved very popular with the fishing fraternity.